Republican Senator Susan Collins of ME, who was on the Senate commitee considering Puzder's nomination, told reporters on Monday that she was evaluating the domestic violence accusation.

Puzder's withdrawal had been widely expected to occur sometime within the next 24 hours, and has now been confirmed by both Fox Business Network and NBC News. "I look forward to his confirmation hearing, where I'm confident he will impress my colleagues and secure the support necessary to be the next secretary of labor". Puzder has a history of opposing minimum wage increases and overtime pay-not to mention the unapologetic objectification of women in ads for his restaurants.

"No matter how you cut it, there is no worse pick for Labor secretary than Andrew Puzder, and I'm encouraged my Republican colleagues are starting to agree", Schumer said before Puzder' Twitter post. Mr. Trump also defended Michael Flynn, who resigned as the National Security Adviser earlier this week, saying Mr. Flynn did nothing wrong in holding pre-inauguration talks with the Russian Ambassador.

The New York Times reported that the president was planning to ask Stephen A Feinberg, co-founder of Cerberus Capital Management, a private investment firm, to conduct the review and stay on for a large role in the intelligence community.

Puzder released a statement shortly after his withdrawal.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pivoted to the most muscular defense of Puzder's nomination, vowing to stick with him despite Puzder's acknowledgement of having employed a housekeeper not authorized to work in the US.

Lisa Fierstein, who divorced Puzder in 1987, retracted claims she made made in the interview about eight months after the appearance, as part of a child custody agreement, Politico reports.

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